84 PLANTS OF NE\Y ZEALAN]) 



The fan-like ap[)eiH';ince of tlie beautiful leaves is due to the 

 splitting U[) of the large, entire leaf, caused by the shrinka.ge 

 of certain tissues. The flowers are sometimes borne on the 

 axils of tlie leaves, but in other cases are terminal. They 

 are, however, always enclosed while in bud, in a large spathe 

 or sheath. 



Genus BJiopalosfijIis. 



Trt'^-s \\itlt [liiinate leaves, and riu.L^ed trunks. Flowers in large axillary 

 panicles. Flmver-buds enclosed in a spathe. Stamens fi. Fruit a drnpc. '2.sp. 



Rhopalostylis sapida CJ'he Nihiii I'cdm). 



A tree, sonretinies 30 ft. in height. Stem ringed, green. Leaves 4ft. in 



length. Spathes '2 or 3, 12in. hing. Flowering axis white : tlowers white. 



Drupe ^in. haig. Both islands : as far south as A.karoa on the east coast and 

 Dusky F.a\" on the west. 



This elegant and graceful palm is found usually in thick 

 bush. Any specimen standing alone will have its leaves 

 bruised or broken. The Maoris used the nikau leaves in the 

 construction of tlieir whares, or native huts. A frame-work 

 was made of manuka sticks, and the roof and walls composed 

 of palm leaves, which f(.>rmed a covering as water-tight as if 

 built of iron. Tliese leaves keep out the wet in a marvellous 

 manner, even thougli sitting underneath them, one can see 

 the clouds and stars through the interstices. Every separate 

 leaf division is a little channel, which conducts the rain-dr(.)ps 

 to the ground outside. Nikau whares are extremel)' pretty 

 and [)ictures(|ue, but are now rarely seen, owing to the 

 unfortunate cheapness of corrugated iron. Bushmen, how- 

 ever, still make them occasionally for temporary residences. 



The top of the stem is fleshy and juicy, and is sometimes 

 eaten. The nikau palm will stand hre almost a.s well as the 

 cabbage-tree. After a big bush hre most of the trees are 

 killed, except the mkaus, the cabbage-trees, and tlie fern- 

 trees. 



Tfic flowers are sessile upon a thick, fleshy axis, tire whole 

 inflorescence Ijeing enclosed when young in a large spathe. 



